When the Impact Player rule was introduced in IPL 2023, it sparked debates, raised eyebrows, and most importantly, changed the way cricket was strategised in the shortest format. Suddenly, teams weren’t just relying on a fixed playing XI; they had the luxury of calling in a game-changer depending on the match situation. While some substitutes faded into the background, a select few etched their names into IPL folklore with performances that turned matches on their heads.
Here’s a look at the Top 5 Most Effective Impact Substitutes in the IPL Era, players who made the most of their “off-the-bench” opportunity and left a lasting impression.
5. Chris Woakes (Punjab Kings, 2024)
Impact: Game-Changing Spells After Strategic Substitution
In the 2024 edition, Punjab Kings used Chris Woakes tactically as a bowling substitute, depending on pitch conditions. He often came in when the opposition had strong openers, and he regularly provided breakthroughs in the Powerplay.
- Best Spell: 3/18 vs SRH, including dismissals of Abhishek Sharma and Klaasen
- Versatility: Subbed in as a bowler when Punjab batted first
- Advantage: Balanced team composition with more batting depth early and added experience with the ball later
Woakes demonstrated how experienced international players could slot in perfectly for one specific task and deliver.
4. Sai Sudharsan (Gujarat Titans, 2023 Final)
Impact: Near Match-Winner in a Final
Sai Sudharsan’s best performance came on the grandest stage, the IPL 2023 final against Chennai Super Kings. Coming in as an Impact batter, the southpaw played one of the most composed innings ever in an IPL title match.
- Innings: 96 off 47 balls
- Strike Rate: 204.26
- Impact: Nearly won GT the trophy with a clinical display of stroke play under pressure
Even though CSK clinched the title in the last over, Sudharsan’s knock was the heartbeat of Gujarat’s innings and remains one of the most iconic performances by an Impact substitute.
3. Nehal Wadhera (Mumbai Indians, 2023)
Impact: Breakout Finisher and Clutch Performer
MI’s 2023 campaign saw many young guns step up, and Nehal Wadhera emerged as a standout, primarily as an Impact batter. His ability to shift gears and finish games was a revelation.
- Memorable Innings: 64 (51) vs RCB and 52* (34) vs CSK
- Role: Often subbed in to provide late-innings acceleration
- Special Mention: His knock against CSK came when MI’s top order collapsed, his calm and clean hitting brought Mumbai Indians back into the game
Wadhera wasn’t just filling in, he was stepping up and winning matches with composure far beyond his experience.
2. Venkatesh Iyer (Kolkata Knight Riders, 2023)
Impact: Match-Winning Century as a Substitute
Used mostly as a batting Impact Player in 2023, Venkatesh Iyer reasserted his T20 credentials with blistering knocks. His century against MI was historic, it made him the first-ever Impact Substitute to score a hundred in IPL history.
- Highlight: 104 off 51 balls vs Mumbai Indians at Wankhede
- Match Context: Came in after KKR lost early wickets, single-handedly powered the score past 180
- Significance: Proved that batters coming in fresh could play long, impactful innings
Venkatesh Iyer’s power-hitting and flexibility made him the poster boy for aggressive substitution strategies.
1. Tushar Deshpande (Chennai Super Kings, 2023)
Impact: Death Overs Specialist, Key Contributor in CSK’s Title Run
When CSK brought in Tushar Deshpande as an Impact Player early in the 2023 season, many considered it a makeshift decision. But MS Dhoni and Co. had seen something. The Mumbai pacer embraced the role of a death-overs enforcer and became a vital cog in the bowling lineup.
- Stats as Impact Player (2023): 21 wickets in 16 matches
- Highlight: Consistently delivered in crunch overs, often replacing a batter to give CSK a bowling edge
- Legacy: First player to successfully own the Impact Player role over a full season
Deshpande’s transformation from a fringe pacer to CSK’s lead wicket-taker was the blueprint of how the new rule could be maximised.
Impact Player Stats Table
| Player | Team | Role | Key Performance | Matches as Impact Player | Total Runs/Wickets | Best Performance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tushar Deshpande | Chennai Super Kings | Bowler | Death-over specialist | 12 | 21 wickets | 3/45 vs RCB |
| Venkatesh Iyer | Kolkata Knight Riders | Batter | First Impact Player to score a century | 8 | 404 runs | 104 (51) vs MI |
| Nehal Wadhera | Mumbai Indians | Batter | Reliable middle-order finisher | 7 | 241 runs | 64 (51) vs RCB; 52* (34) vs CSK |
| Sai Sudharsan | Gujarat Titans | Batter | Starred in IPL 2023 Final | 5 | 226 runs | 96 (47) vs CSK (Final) |
| Chris Woakes | Punjab Kings | Bowler | Powerplay enforcer | 6 | 9 wickets | Starred in the IPL 2023 Final |
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